The book of Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian exile, as well as the spiritual and social restoration of the people. Here’s a structured summary of its chapters:

Nehemiah’s First Administration (Chs. 1–12)

Nehemiah’s Response to the Situation in Jerusalem (Ch. 1)

1. News of the plight of Jerusalem (1:1–4)
   Nehemiah, in the Persian court, learns of the distress of Jerusalem and its walls being broken down.
2. Nehemiah’s prayer (1:5–11)
   Nehemiah prays for the restoration of the city, confessing the sins of Israel and asking for favor with the king.

Nehemiah’s Journey to Jerusalem (2:1–10)

1. The king’s permission (2:1–8)
   Nehemiah seeks and receives permission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
2. The journey itself (2:9–10)
   Nehemiah begins his journey to Jerusalem and is met with opposition from local leaders, Sanballat and Tobiah.

Nehemiah’s First Actions upon Arrival (2:11–20)

1. His nocturnal inspection of the walls (2:11–16)
   Nehemiah inspects the walls of Jerusalem at night, assessing the damage.
2. His exhortation to rebuild (2:17–18)
   Nehemiah encourages the people to start rebuilding the walls, sharing the vision God had given him.
3. His response to opposition (2:19–20)
   Nehemiah faces opposition from the local governors and rebukes them for their resistance.

List of the Builders of the Wall (Ch. 3)

1. The northern section (3:1–7)
   Lists the sections of the wall and the families involved in rebuilding.
2. The western section (3:8–13)
   Further detailing the groups working on different parts of the wall.
3. The southern section (3:14)
   The completion of the southern part of the wall.
4. The eastern section (3:15–32)
   The final section completed by various groups.

Opposition to Rebuilding the Wall (Ch. 4)

1. The derision of Sanballat and Tobiah (4:1–5)
   The enemies mock the project, doubting its success.
2. The threat of attack (4:6–15)
   The workers are threatened with attack, and Nehemiah arranges defenses.
3. Rebuilding the wall (4:16–23)
   Despite the threats, the work continues, with the workers maintaining vigilance.

Social and Economic Problems (Ch. 5)

1. The complaints of the poor (5:1–5)
   There is a great outcry among the poor regarding high taxes and debt.
2. The cancellation of debts (5:6–13)
   Nehemiah addresses the issue by urging the rich to forgive debts and restore the land to the poor.
3. Nehemiah’s unselfish example (5:14–19)
   Nehemiah shows generosity by not demanding his governor’s portion and instead uses his position to help the poor.

The Wall Rebuilt Despite Opposition (Ch. 6)

1. Attempts to snare Nehemiah (6:1–9)
   Nehemiah faces continued threats, including attempts to trap him into leaving the city.
2. The hiring of false prophets (6:10–14)
   Enemies send false prophets to intimidate Nehemiah.
3. The completion of the wall (6:15–19)
   Despite opposition, the wall is completed in fifty-two days.

List of Exiles (7:1–73a)

1. Provisions for the protection of Jerusalem (7:1–3)
   Nehemiah sets up guards and appoints leaders for the city.
2. Nehemiah’s discovery of the list of returnees (7:4–5)
   Nehemiah finds a record of those who had returned from exile.
3. The returnees delineated (7:6–72)
   A detailed list of the people who returned from exile.
4. Settlement of the exiles (7:73a)
   The people settle in their respective regions.

Ezra’s Preaching and the Outbreak of Revival (7:73b—10:39)

1. The public exposition of the Scriptures (7:73b—8:12)
   Ezra reads the Law of Moses, leading to a spiritual revival among the people.
2. The Feast of Tabernacles (8:13–18)
   The people celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles as prescribed by the Law.
3. A day of fasting, confession, and prayer (9:1–5a)
   The people confess their sins and repent before God.
4. A recital of God’s dealings with Israel (9:5b–31)
   The Levites recount Israel’s history, focusing on God’s faithfulness and Israel’s unfaithfulness.
5. Confession of sins (9:32–37)
   The people confess their sins and acknowledge God’s righteousness.
6. A binding agreement (9:38)
   The people make a covenant to obey the law of God.
7. A list of those who sealed it (10:1–29)
   The names of the leaders who signed the covenant.
8. Provisions of the agreement (10:30–39)
   The people agree to follow the law regarding various practices, including marriage, offerings, and the Sabbath.

New Residents of Judah and Jerusalem (Ch. 11)

1. New residents for Jerusalem (11:1–24)
   A list of the new residents who settle in Jerusalem, including those from Judah, Benjamin, priests, Levites, and temple staff.
2. New residents for Judah (11:25–36)
   Additional people from Judah settle in various towns around the region.

Lists of Priests and the Dedication of the Wall (Ch. 12)

1. Priests and Levites from the first return (12:1–9)
   A list of priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel.
2. High priests and Levites since Joiakim (12:10–26)
   A record of the succession of high priests and Levites.
3. Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (12:27–43)
   The wall is dedicated with great celebration and praise.
4. Regulation of the temple offerings and services (12:44–47)
   Nehemiah ensures that the offerings and temple services are properly managed.

Nehemiah’s Second Administration (Ch. 13)

1. Abuses during His Absence (13:1–5)
   Nehemiah returns to find the temple being defiled by mixed marriages and the presence of Tobiah in the temple.
2. Nehemiah’s Return (13:6–9)
   Nehemiah returns and takes immediate action to purify the temple.
3. Reorganization and Reforms (13:10–31)
   Nehemiah addresses abuses such as the neglect of offerings, violation of the Sabbath, and mixed marriages.

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This summary outlines Nehemiah’s leadership in rebuilding Jerusalem, both physically through the wall and spiritually through the restoration of faith and adherence to God’s law. The story emphasizes the importance of faithfulness, prayer, and dedication to God’s work, despite opposition and challenges.